Assault weapons proposal delayed

The Senate Judiciary Committee postponed a markup for new gun control legislation for one week, delaying action on a controversial proposal to ban assault weapons.

The postponement also allows more time for bipartisan negotiations between Sens. Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) and Tom Coburn (R-Okla.) to reach a deal to expand background checks for all gun purchases. Those talks have stalled over Coburn’s objections to permanent record keeping of gun purchases becoming a part of background checks.

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Judiciary Committee Chairman Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) announced at the beginning of Thursday’s session that consideration of four gun-related bills, including an assault weapons ban offered by Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.), would be rescheduled for next week.

Feinstein said she was determined to push ahead on her assault weapons bill, although some Democrats from red states have expressed concerns over the legislation. The National Rifle Association and gun-owner groups are also strongly opposed to the proposal, which could reach the Senate floor next month.

“It is a life mission’s for me,” Feinstein said.

Leahy also vowed to stay in session next week as long as needed.

But Sen. Chuck Grassley of Iowa, the top Republican on the Judiciary Committee, indicated he would oppose the Feinstein bill, and most other Republicans have objected as well.

Grassley said the Feinstein proposal “raises a lot of constitutional questions.”

Grassley, though, praised a version of a background check legislation offered by Schumer. However, that was just a proposal intended to hold the place for any potential compromise between Schumer and Coburn that only laid out “findings” and didn’t include any legislative language. Grassley has not endorsed the latest version of the Schumer-Coburn proposal that has been circulated by members.

“I think many of us could support the current language of that bill,” Grassley said, a small joke at Schumer’s expense.

Schumer later told reporters that his discussions with Coburn were ongoing and no deal has been reached at this time.